Bernadette Reeves spurs on to take the responsibility of sharing her ancestors’ stories.

Reeves, a Palm Coast resident, liturgical dancer, National Park Service volunteer and St. Augustine tour guide, feels obligated to tell the story of 15-year-old Audrey Nell Edwards of "The St. Augustine Four."

Edwards, JoeAnn Anderson, Samuel White and Willie Carl Singleton spent six months jailed for staging a sit-in at the Woolworth Lunch Counter in St. Augustine. It was July 23, 1963, during the Civil Rights Movement.

Bernadette Reeves, shown with her husband, Alphonso, stars in a one-woman show.

Edwards’ story is her outcry to besiegement, taunting, the breath of a snarling dog, being struck from behind, and the vengeance of "We don’t serve colored people."

Show takes place in St. Augustine

Reeves presents her one-woman show at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine for Black History Month on Saturdays. The timetable has been set for 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reeves did the research on capturing the authenticity of Audrey Nell Edwards.

Reeves’ husband, Alphonso, designed part of the set to complement the original counter stool from the former King Street Woolworth’s. Exhibits have been placed all around, commemorating the Civil Rights Movement. There is footage that rests in an interactive story board, gaining national sympathy and ultimately leading to passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  

Moreover, it was deja vu when a man earlier in the month tried to literally block tourists from entering the Woolworth dramatization. He was carrying a yellow "Don’t Tread on Me" flag, the same flag carried by segregationists in the story board. The "Don’t Tread on Me" flag is said to be the banner of the Tea Party Movement.

Victory magazine launches in spring

The ministry of Charlene E. Cothran, veteran magazine publisher, turned evangelist, will launch Victory magazine this spring. It will be a Christian-lifestyle magazine for men and women of faith.

"Our mission is to change lives, teach and support those who have made decisions for Christ, one issue at a time," says Cothran in a press release sent from her Central Florida office.

"If you have entered into a new dimension in your walk with Christ, or perhaps you’ve just come to the Faith, and you’re wondering "What’s next?," then you need ‘Victory.’  "If you are seasoned in the Word, strong in your faith, previously published and willing to share what you know with others, ‘Victory’ needs you."

Victory magazine’s tag line says it all: "Where Yoke-Breaking Anointing Meets Excellence in Journalism." The company is currently seeking submissions from previously-published, freelance journalists, pastors, laypersons, licensed professionals, authors and photographers.

"We want to quickly develop editorial relationships with those who have had a true encounter with Christ. We are requesting that expressions of those encounters be submitted, along with a sample of published work," says Cothran.

Cothran, who published a group of small publications before her conversion to Christ, says she is not naive about the task ahead.

"I’ve had some success at publishing in the past. When I started out, I was much younger and full of enthusiasm. Now, I’m full of experience. I know the difficulty involved, but also know that we are well able to overcome every obstacle. I don’t need to do this for me. This time, it’s for GOD."

If you desire details for submission to the magazine, log on to http://victorymagazine.net/Home_Page.html

NAACP seeking scholarship applicants

A $1,000 Flagler County NAACP scholarship will be awarded to a 2012 graduating minority student with a 3.0, or higher GPA.

Other requirements must be met, and the application submitted by March 6 to the guidance secretary of Flagler Palm Coast High School (FPCHS) or Matanzas High School (MHS).

To have your questions answered, call FPCHS at 437-7540, X1022; or MHS, 447-1575, X5118.

Maxcy to discuss Obama at meeting

The Flagler County NAACP’s regularly-scheduled monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m., at the African American Cultural Society, 4422 North U.S. 1 in Palm Coast.

Former school principal Stewart Maxcy will be the speaker. He’ll talk about President Barack Obama’s "Race To The Top."

For details, call the NAACP at 386-446-7822.

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As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.